Despite handing in his courtesy resignation, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian continued to lead operations under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pag-abot program in Quezon City on Friday morning.
Gatchalian assured the public that DSWD services will continue without interruption. “Walang services na maaantala, lahat kami ay required na nandoon pa rin sa aming mga posts, hanggang makapagdesisyon ang Malacanang sa aming courtesy resignation,” he said.
The Pag-abot program assists homeless families and individuals by providing food, medicine, and temporary shelter. Thirteen families and nine individuals were reached during the Quezon City operation and brought to the DSWD processing center in Pasay City for aid and profiling. Depending on their situation, they will either be offered livelihood assistance or helped to return to their home provinces.
“Sabi ng Pangulo, ‘yung pinaka nasa laylayan or ‘yung pinakahirap sa buhay, ‘yun dapat ang inuuna namin. Ito na ‘yung pinakamahirap sa mga mahirap, mga napilitan tumira sa lansangan kasi walang hanapbuhay,” Gatchalian added.
The DSWD implements several national programs aimed at reducing poverty and hunger, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Ayuda sa mga Kapos ang Kita Program, and the Walang Gutom food initiatives.
According to Gatchalian, of the estimated 10,000 homeless families in Metro Manila, half have already entered the program. “Wala namang isang solusyon na babagay at aangkop sa lahat, customized yung solusyon natin sa bawat pamilya, importante yung makapagsimula ulit,” he said.
“Wala naman tayong layunin na tumira sila sa shelter pang habambuhay, ang sa atin, maunawaan ang ating pangangailangan at maibalik sila sa komunidad na kasama ang tulong ng DSWD,” he added.